A “significant number” of Boeing 737 Max aircraft face delivery delays due to a production issue.
The US manufacturer said a suppler had had used a “non-standard” process when installing two fittings in the fuselage of certain models of the narrow-body twin jet, creating the possibility that it might not comply with specifications laid out by aviation regulators.
The aircraft can still operate safely, but “the issue will probably affect a significant number of undelivered Max aeroplanes, both in production and in storage,” the company reported.
“We expect lower near-term 737 Max deliveries,” Boeing added.
A company statement said: ”We have notified the [US] FAA of the issue and are working to conduct inspections and replace the non-conforming fittings where necessary.”
The Federal Aviation Administration reportedly said it had “validated” Boeing’s assessment that there was no immediate safety issue “based on the facts and data Boeing presented” and the agency will evaluate all affected aircraft before delivery.
The 737 Max was grounded for more than a year after two crashes in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people.
Boeing reported on Tuesday that deliveries of new aircraft jumped in the first three months of 2023, including 113 of the 737 Max model.
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